| Notes |
- For any of you who were unable to attend Jim's memorial service today, I wanted to attach the eulogy my husband, Pete, wrote for his good friend. Thank you again to Jay Walker for reading this in Pete's absence. In spite of the great sadness we all felt, it was a beautiful service. RIP Big JIm.
Here is the letter that was read:
I first met Jim in the summer of 1982 when I was working at Bud’s Amoco in Huxley, IA. As I am sure all of you will agree, meeting Jim for the first time is something you never forget. I remember standing in amazement as this huge truck with speed-boat attached pulled in for gas. As I walked out to his truck, I remember his boat had a motor big enough for 3 boats and enough beer coolers in the back for a spring break beach party. I was sure I couldn’t have been more in awe until from behind the gas pump appeared a giant of a man who reached out with a hand so big that when he shook mine it felt more like he was shaking my arm.
Immediately, he began asking me everything about my past- where I grew up, where I went to school and who my parents where. When Jim asked you something about your past he never forgot it. Little did I know that this day was the beginning of a friendship that would last for many years.
Over the next 6 years, I looked forward to the weekly conversations I had with Jim when he stopped in at the gas station. I can remember the day I told Jim that I was moving to Iowa City to attend Medical school at the University of Iowa. I am sure each of you can imagine the lecture I received from Jim, who everyone knows was a die-hard ISU alum. I must admit I took a verbal beating, but I also remember how proud he was of me when he shook my hand and wished me the best.
I always thought our paths would meet again, but little did I know it would be at one of Rick Putska’a wild game feeds and over a bowl of split beaver-tail soup. I can remember how happy I was to see Jim again but also how impressed I was that he remembered almost everything we had talked about 6 years prior. It was also at this time when I first met Sheryl. Over the next 20 years, Jim and Sheryl became close friends with my wife, Liz, and me. The memories we created together are some of the most cherished we have. Boating trips down the Mississippi river and fishing trips up in Ashland, Minnesota were always filled with Jim’s constant joking and laughter.
Jim just had a way of having fun and making those around him feel lucky to have him as a friend. It was fun to sit and have a beer with Jim, who commanded the room and the people around him, because he just enjoyed people. I must say I learned quickly that trying to keep up with Jim beer-for-beer was like trying to win the Boston Marathon by crawling thru the entire race… Impossible!
I always knew when Jim stopped by the clinic to visit. His voice and the laughter he created carried itself thru the office as Jim made his rounds from the front staff to the back offices. No one was safe when it came to his jokes about how short we all were or how we never let him eat the foods he wanted. Jim talked tough, but my nurses all said he was just a big Teddy Bear. It was obvious that Jim loved people, but it is more apparent that people loved Jim. He was always generous with his time, his resources, his compliments and a lesson for us all on how to live life to the fullest.
Everyone who knew Jim realized that two of his loves where hunting and fishing but more than these, his true loves in life where his wife Sheryl and his children. It was impossible to have a conversation with Jim that didn’t include him bragging about his family and their adventures and accomplishments. You young people made him so proud. Bryce, Janae and D.J., I hope you know that. I know he would want you to pick up and move ahead in a positive direction, in spite of the obvious hardships you have endured in the past few years, you can do this with the love and assistance from your family and friends. We’re all here for you.
And we all know how much he loved Sheryl-taking such protective and loving care of her as she battled brain cancer for 5 years and holding his family together through it all. To Jim, family meant everything, and it was obvious that Sheryl and his children were on a pedestal that only Jim was tall enough to reach.
We all have our own memories that we created with Jim. Whether he was your family member, your Ankeny High School or ISU basketball teammate, your insurance agent, your financial advisor, your hunting, fishing or boating friend, your neighbor, or just your friend--he wore many hats for sure. Fortunately for us, there will always be moments in our lives that will make us relive these memories and make us smile, but more importantly; make us realize that we are all better people because Jim was a part of our lives. It is these memories that we will cherish and hold onto so Jim will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Until we meet again, I will miss you my friend.
|
1950 - 2016 (66 years)
[1] 
